Blue cards for intergenerational playgroup

Intergenerational playgroup is a great initiative to bring together young and elderly Australians to play. These activities generally take place within various environments such as aged care centres, retirement living and early learning centres.

Adult participants of the playgroup may need a blue card if they participate in a regulated environment and exceed the frequency requirement.

The environment where the activities are carried out will determine which category of regulated employment applies.

For example, If an organisation has partnered with an Early Childhood Education Centre to host the playgroup at a childcare or early learning centre once a week for 10 weeks, the adult volunteers interacting with children will need a blue card under the Education and care services category of regulated employment, as  this is an environment-based category and the amount of time exceeds the frequency requirement. Usually these playgroups either occur in the education and care centre or inside where the adults live.

Where children are coming into an aged care facility—which is not a regulated environment—there is no requirement for those aged residents to hold a blue card.

Other categories will apply depending on the environment where the volunteers and children are participating in the activities.